Margaret Anne (Platt) Stanley

Margaret Anne (Platt) Stanley’s room in heaven became available to her on March 12, at the age of 76. She passed away from the effects of scleroderma, surrounded by the love of family and friends. Margaret was born on April 5, 1937, in Lincoln, NE, to Robert and Edith Platt. The family moved to Rock Island, IL, where she was raised with her younger brother, Bill. She completed her schooling and attended Grinnell College, Augustana College and the University of Iowa.

It was during the serendipitous summer of 1960 that she met the love of her life, Bill Stanley. They were both working summer resort jobs in Evergreen, CO, when he noticed “the good-looking girl across the room” in the employee cafeteria at Troutdale in the Pines. Later that summer, they both worked at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park and enjoyed meeting at the local pancake house when they were done with their late night/early morning shifts. There, they would share breakfast and a quiet cup of coffee together. They were engaged in December 1961 and were married on September 1, 1962, at Broadway Presbyterian Church in Rock Island, IL.

Their early years were spent at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC, while Bill served in the United States Air Force as an intelligence officer. Their first daughter, Sheryl, was born in October 1964, and their son, Scott, was born in October 1965. After Bill’s medical discharge from the service, the family moved to Coralville, IA, where Bill worked as a cartographer for the geography department and a programmer analyst for the Weeg Computer Center at the University of Iowa. Their third child, Sarah, was born in May 1973.

Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, and partner with her husband in their Amway business. They were delighted to meet new people and make friends while building their business together. It was during a trip to Montana to visit Sarah and son-in-law Don when they became enamored with the Flathead Valley. The area reminded them of their times together in the Colorado Rockies. They built their home near Columbia Falls and reveled in their newfound elbow room in the West. She loved their herd of miniature horses and the many dogs they had. Margaret was an animal and bird lover, and her favorites were dogs, horses and owls. Animals provided much joy and comfort to her throughout her life, and she always loved to exchange stories of pets and wild animals. She was a passionate reader of books about history, politics, biographies, poetry, fiction and animal stories. Her recent favorites were works by C.S. Lewis, Thomas Savage, Jim Kjelgaard and Dean Koontz. She would periodically remind others that “You can’t be bored if you have books!” She loved visits from family and friends, and finding thoughtful gifts for her children and grandchildren.

She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in her mid-forties, and developed Raynaud’s Syndrome and scleroderma (GERD and CREST). In spite of the health challenges, she always maintained a good outlook on life and loved hearing about the activities of her family and seven grandchildren. “One grandchild for each day of the week!” she said.

Margaret was preceded in death by: her parents, Robert and Edith Platt; and her brother, Bill Platt. She is survived by Bill, her loving husband of 51 years, and their children and families: daughter Sheryl and husband Chris Dolan, and grandchildren Kenyon, Eva and Fiona, of Cedar Rapids, IA; son Scott and wife Sara Stanley, and grandchildren Lydia and Carson, of Urbandale, IA; and daughter Sarah and husband Don Copple, and grandchildren Olivette and Amelie, of Dillon.

Visitation is today from noon to 1 p.m. at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Services will be today at 1 p.m. at Columbia Mortuary, followed immediately by internment at Fairview Cemetery. Light refreshments will be available at The Back Room/Nite Owl afterwards. Memorials may be given to: Dogs for the Deaf 10175 Wheeler Road Central Point, OR 97502; 800-990-DOGS; or online at www.dogsforthedeaf.org. She would wish all of you Happy Trails!

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Margaret’s family. You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to view Margaret’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.